Art Saves Lives
An essay series curated by Seema Reza & edited by Ben Weakley.
Introduction by Seema Reza
I begin writing workshops with new groups of people by saying “Writing has saved my life. It continues to save my life on a regular basis.” I say it because it’s true. I say it because the best way to help people feel comfortable about being vulnerable is by modeling it. And mostly, I say it because it calms my own nerves to admit right up front that I am still working on saving my own life. It reminds me that this work, this moment, the act of writing is sacred. The stakes are high.
In the space after I say it, the room leans in. People who have been stifled by the pressure to pretend they are perfect are able to relax into the hard work at hand. People who are skeptical that someone like me, who gets to sit at the head of the table, could possibly get it trust me a little bit more.
I hope that this series of essays will give the writers of each piece the opportunity to reflect on the sacred act of art making and allow readers to feel seen and safe to reach further inside of themselves in their own art making practice.
Digital Exhibit is Live!
Explore an extraordinary collection of artworks from our CBAW community, now available in our online gallery. This special exhibit features pieces selected from our 2024 Open Submissions period, showcasing the incredible talent and artistry of our community. We are deeply grateful to every artist who submitted work—you inspire us!
Art Saves Lives essays are listed below in order from the most recent to the oldest post.
Art Saves Lives: In Spite of Perfection by Cynthia Dewi Oka
For most of my life, I could not bear my own face. Though I would recognize what I saw in the mirror as familiar, I did not feel it was mine. What I did feel was that it was wrong. I was raised like a prisoner on an island that most consider a paradise. My parents...
Art Saves Lives: The Fire Within by J.G.P. MacAdam
We admire stoics. Those who bear the wounds of this life in venerable silence. The grandfather or uncle who never spoke of their wartime experiences, for instance. We might pity stoics, too. Those who never found a voice of their own—the words, the ability, the...
Art Saves Lives: Letter Writing as a Spiritual Practice by Ryan Jafar Artes
Here is a reminder, dear Ryan: staying grounded and rooted in the present time and current day is the most important part. October 1, 2023 Dear Ryan, You did it! You are doing it, and you will continue to do it, which is that which you are here to...
Art Saves Lives: The Patuxent Paradox by Jillian Danback-McGhan
“We make art with our lives, yes, but also our lives are made through art.”